Offbeat

There are few things in this world more satisfying than the tiny rumble that is a cat's purr. Even if you're not a cat person, you still have to admit that those sweet little vibrations are truly glorious. Yet, beyond knowing it's amazing, you might not

Curling up with your favorite ball of fur as she purrs away is pretty close to heaven, at least for cat folk. Yet, hidden between those vibrations, that most appealing of domestic sounds remains wrapped in mystery, and even a little magic.

Recent research has shown that the soothing sounds of a kitty can aid your body in a number of ways, greatly counteracting any heartache that comes from your cat ignoring you. We, cat lovers and owners know that already:)!

In an attempt to narrow down the possibilities, Frazer Sissom and collaborators collected audio recordings of various purring cats -- from domestic cats at an animal shelter to a cheetah and cougar, the largest cats known to be capable of purring.

The most common explanation of the source is that a purr originates in the voice box, with what are called the "vestibular folds," or false vocal cords. The passing of air across these structures is thought to get the engine running.